The 2025 Subaru Forester STI Sport represents a nuanced approach to the mid-size SUV segment, blending Subaru’s renowned practicality with a subtle performance-oriented twist. Priced at $48,640 before on-road costs, this variant aims to offer something slightly more engaging for driving enthusiasts while maintaining the Forester’s core strengths of versatility and reliability.
Exterior Design and Styling
Subaru has taken a measured approach to the STI Sport’s exterior design. Unlike some performance-badged SUVs that rely on aggressive styling cues, the Forester STI Sport maintains a restrained aestheticThe mid-size SUV looks equally at home on inner-city residential streets and in the middle of nowhere, even with the slightly ‘sported-up’ black trim of the STI version.
Key exterior modifications include:
- Dark grey 18-inch alloy wheels
- Black exterior trim for grille, mirrors, roof rails, and light surrounds
- Subtle STI badging
- Bordeaux Red and black color accents
The design philosophy seems intentional. As one reviewer noted, “For all the SUVs with their respective brands’ performance badging (and not engineering) attached to them that bear more bark than bite, maybe it’s not such a bad thing Subaru has refrained from putting the Forester in full Tecnica uniform.”
Powertrain and Performance
Engine Specifications
- Engine: 2.5-litre flat-four naturally aspirated petrol
- Power: 136 kW @ 5800 rpm
- Torque: 239 Nm @ 4400 rpm
- Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- Drive Type: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Performance is pragmatic rather than explosive. The Forester STI Sport doesn’t deliver the performance of the STIs of yesteryear, but it offers a confident and easy driving experience. The ‘S/I’ (Sport and Intelligent) drive modes provide subtle variations in driving character, with Sport mode offering marginally quicker acceleration.
Fuel Efficiency
- Combined Cycle: 7.4L/100km (claimed)
- Urban Cycle: 9.3L/100km
- Fuel Type: Regular 91-octane unleaded
- Fuel Tank: 63 litres
During real-world testing, the vehicle returned a low of 8.6L/100km during a day of regional driving, with a week-long mixed driving average of 9.2L/100km.
Handling and Driving Dynamics
The STI Sport distinguishes itself through suspension tuning. STI engineers focused on retuning the dampers to create a “sharper, more responsive driving experience”. While it’s challenging to call the Forester truly “sharp” – given it’s a mid-size family SUV with off-road clearance – the STI Sport handles impressively for its category.
Key dynamic characteristics include:
- Minimal body roll during cornering
- Composed ride over bumpy surfaces
- Precise handling without excessive stiffness
- ‘X Mode’ for varied terrain (snow, dirt, mud)
The driving experience is described as “simple yet pleasant, with just enough refinement to make it enjoyable for a wide range of drivers, whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or heading off the beaten track”.
Interior and Comfort
Cabin Design
The interior receives a performance-inspired makeover:
- Black and Bordeaux Red leather seats
- Red contrast stitching
- STI badging
- Power-adjustable and heated front seats
Subaru has maintained a deliberately classic approach to interior design. Large, tactile buttons, traditional climate controls, and chunky steering wheel controls suggest an intentional focus on user-friendliness over cutting-edge technology.
Technology and Infotainment
- 8.0-inch touchscreen
- Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Subaru’s driver monitoring system
Practicality
- Boot Space: 498 litres (expandable to 1060 litres)
- Maximum cargo space: 1740 litres
- 5 seats
- 220mm ground clearance
Safety Features
The Forester STI Sport comes equipped with Subaru’s comprehensive safety suite:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Lane-keep Assist
- Driver Attention Monitoring
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Alert
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- LED Headlights with Active Cornering
The safety systems are generally non-intrusive. Lane-keep assist, for instance, intervenes only when the vehicle approaches lane boundaries, and speed warning systems chime only when genuinely necessary.
Off-Road Capability
Despite being a road-focused SUV, the Forester maintains Subaru’s off-road credentials. One reviewer noted its “unusual sense of invincibility, like you could ride over any terrain and survive”. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-Mode functionality ensure competent performance on varied surfaces.
Market Position and Competition
Priced at $48,640, the Forester STI Sport competes with:
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- Ford Escape Vignale
- Hyundai Tucson N-Line Hybrid
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Renault Koleos
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Versatile all-wheel-drive system
- Comfortable ride
- Practical interior
- Off-road capability
- Comprehensive safety features
Cons
- Modest performance
- Aging interior technology
- No hybrid option
- CVT transmission lacks engagement
The 2025 Subaru Forester STI Sport isn’t a hardcore performance SUV, but a refined, practical vehicle with subtle sporting pretensions. As one reviewer aptly put it, “Competence might be boring, but when it’s the thing you have to live with every day, that competence is golden.”
It represents an intelligent compromise for drivers seeking a dependable, capable SUV with a hint of sportiness – without sacrificing the everyday usability that has made the Forester a long-standing favorite.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
Specifications Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $48,640 (before on-road costs) |
| Engine | 2.5L Flat-Four Naturally Aspirated |
| Power | 136 kW @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 239 Nm @ 4400 rpm |
| Transmission | Continuously Variable (CVT) |
| Fuel Consumption | 7.4L/100km (combined) |
| Warranty | 5 years/Unlimited km |
| ANCAP Safety Rating | 5 stars |